Khaberni - Many people resort to decongestant nasal sprays to escape sleepless nights caused by colds and nasal congestion, but pharmacists warn that this quick fix can turn into a health trap that is difficult to escape.
The accompanying medical literature for these sprays points out the necessity of not using them for more than 7 consecutive days. However, pharmacist Alexander Schmitz believes that caution should start even earlier, recommending that use be stopped after only 4 to 5 days and replaced with moisturizing sprays based on sea water.
Schmitz attributes this warning to the nasal mucosa's rapid adaptation to the active decongestant ingredients that work by constricting the blood vessels in the nasal lining, which over time leads to bodily dependence on them.
He says, "At some point, a person is no longer able to breathe without the spray, making sure to always carry it with them."
The pharmacist often faces cases of people who are completely dependent on nasal sprays. He points out that stopping their use is not easy, as the basic need to breathe makes the matter more complicated.
The harm of long-term use is not limited to dependence only. Overuse of decongestant sprays leads to dryness of the nasal mucous membrane, which increases the risk of bleeding and increases the susceptibility to infections, due to the weakened ability of the nose to perform its natural protective functions.
As for the methods to eliminate this dependence, Schmitz clarifies that one common advice is to gradually switch to children's sprays with a lower concentration of the active substance, before eventually shifting to sea water sprays, which are completely free of medicinal substances.
However, this method does not work for everyone, especially those who have been dependent on sprays for many years. In such cases, Schmitz advises seeking help from pharmacies, where the concentration of the spray can be reduced gradually and with very precise steps until the user eventually reaches the sea water spray only.
Schmitz concludes by affirming that sea water sprays carry no risk of dependence, as they are limited to moisturizing the mucous membrane, making them a safe option for long-term use.
